Any surviving US PT boats in UK?

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   Hello, my name is Jerry, and I am on the restoration crew of a 78 foot Higgins PT Boat from WW2, the USS PT658. It is located in Portland Oregon. At one of our recent meetings we were discussing the possibility of any surviving US made Motor Torpedo Boats or Motor Gun Boats in the Royal Navy that were "lend-leased" to Great Britain during the war. Is there anybody out there that knows of any surviving Higgins 78 foot or Elco 77 foot and/or Elco 80 foot boats? As time marches on there are fewer and fewer of these boats still around. We would like to get any sort of photos or contact information about them. By the way we have a web site www.savetheptboatinc.com. Thanks in advance for your help! Jerry

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jngilmar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 January 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote jngilmar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Any surviving US PT boats in UK? Posted: 01 January 2006 at 10:33am
	Hello, my name is Jerry, and I am on the restoration crew of a 78 foot Higgins PT Boat from WW2, the USS PT658. It is located in Portland Oregon. At one of our recent meetings we were discussing the possibility of any surviving US made Motor Torpedo Boats or Motor Gun Boats in the Royal Navy that were "lend-leased" to Great Britain during the war. Is there anybody out there that knows of any surviving Higgins 78 foot or Elco 77 foot and/or Elco 80 foot boats? As time marches on there are fewer and fewer of these boats still around. We would like to get any sort of photos or contact information about them. By the way we have a web site www.savetheptboatinc.com. Thanks in advance for your help! Jerry
	Jerry Gilmartin USS PT658 Portland Oregon www.savetheptboatinc.com

Christian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 June 2005 Location: Gibraltar Status: Offline Points: 775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Christian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 January 2006 at 4:36pm
	Hi Jerry I know of one lend/lease Higgins ex RASC Gallipoli,ex RN MGB69 ex RN MASB69.She was built New Orleans 1940 and was at Penton Hook marina under restoration in 2002

jngilmar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 January 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote jngilmar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 January 2006 at 8:15am
	Hi Christian, Thanks for the reply, can you tell me a little bit more? Where is Penton Hook Marina? Do you know a name or contact number of the people who are working on the boat? Thanks, Jerry
	Jerry Gilmartin USS PT658 Portland Oregon www.savetheptboatinc.com

Christian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 June 2005 Location: Gibraltar Status: Offline Points: 775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Christian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 January 2006 at 10:42am
	Hi Jerry I got the info and pic from Ships Monthly March 2002,perhaps they have more recent info.She was rescued from a gravel pit (what is wrong with some people)by Peter Coe.I'm local to Gibraltar and have no idea where Penton Hook marina is but I'm sure other forum users can help you out(or Google)

Pioneer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Pioneer Joined: 07 December 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 675	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pioneer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 January 2006 at 11:21am
	Hello Jerry, Penton Hook Marina is situated on Staines Road, Chertsey. UK As Christian states 'Google' will give you their web site for possible direct contact Regards Ted
	Pioneer - Forum Moderator

jngilmar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 January 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote jngilmar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 January 2006 at 12:14pm
	Does anybody know who is the "Peter Coe" associated with this boat? I would be greatly interested in contacting him also. Thanks to both Pioneer and Christian for your helpful response. Jerry PS Here is a photo of PT658 underway in the River
	Jerry Gilmartin USS PT658 Portland Oregon www.savetheptboatinc.com

Christian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 June 2005 Location: Gibraltar Status: Offline Points: 775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Christian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 04 January 2006 at 4:32pm
	Pic of sistership to Penton Hook boat in Service with the RN.These are the 69ft Higgins boats(I think built for Finland originally)

Christian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 June 2005 Location: Gibraltar Status: Offline Points: 775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Christian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 January 2006 at 2:55pm
	Just heard from Philip Simons who confirms Gallipoli was broken up a couple of years ago.Oh well...seems the restoration never went ahead.

jngilmar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 January 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote jngilmar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 January 2006 at 3:12pm
	Dear Mr. Gilmartin, Unfortunately, Gallipoli was broken up by its owner just over two years ago. She was at Penton Hook Marina, which is on the upper reaches of the River Thames for many years. The vessel had previously been abandoned and Mr. Coe tried his very best to rescue her. As with all these projects funds was an issue and ended in her disposal. If I can help with any further information please do no hesitate to contact me. Kind regards, Colin Jefferies Manager Penton Hook Marina 01932 568681
	Jerry Gilmartin USS PT658 Portland Oregon www.savetheptboatinc.com

Mikeg8 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 08 July 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 16	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mikeg8 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 March 2006 at 12:47pm
	Hi Jerry I had a look at the web site: you've done a ton of work in bringing her up to scratch. Good luck with the 'last few bits and pieces'! I came across a PT boat modelling site, pt-boat.com run by a guy in Australia called John Drain. He has masses of information/photos about the real thing and his model is also pretty damned good too. Mike